Hinge construction



Jan. 10,1950 A. v. ROWE 2, 0

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HINGE CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Jan. 10, 1945 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 10, 1950 HINGE CONSTRUCTION Alvin V. Rowe, Galesburg, Ill., assignor to Rowe Manufacturing Company, Galesburg, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Original application January 10, 1945, Serial No.

572,127, now Patent No. 2,391,845, dated December 25, 1945. Divided and this application October 20, 1945, Serial No. 623,504

8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to hinge constructions for overhead doors, and more particularly to hinge arrangements for use with shiftable door sections constructed of sheet metal.

This is a division of Patent No. 2,391,845 for Overhead door construction, patented December 25, 1945. The present invention is concerned primarily with the details of the hinge structure. This hinge structure is designed specifically to meet the requirements incident to the use of door sections which are constructed of sheet metal as distinguished from conventional wooden doors.

More specifically the invention contemplates a hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections of the overhead type in which each door section comprises a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of co-aXial complementary hinge members particularly adapted for association with adjacent sheet metal corners along the inner side of overhead door sections.

The invention further contemplates an arrangement of hinge members of the type referred to above, having in association therewith pintles extending longitudinally of the co-aXial, complementary hinge members, each of the pintles having a guide roller in association therewith.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge construction as set forth above, wherein hinge members are not only provided at each side margin of the adjacent door sections, but also along the intermediate portions of the adjacent door sections.

The foregoing will be more apparent from the detailed description which follows, together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a door structure made up of a plurality of sheet metal door sections equipped with hinge structures representing one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the door structure taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the intermediate sheet metal door sections as viewed from the rear thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of adjacent intermediate door sections taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 6, the upper door section being shown in full line closed position and dotted open position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the corner portions of the adjacent door sections substantially within the vicinity of the dot and dash circle designated by the letter A in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the door sections hingedly joined, dot and dash lines illustrating a section of track providing the guideway for the rollers;

, Fig. 7 is a detailed vertical sectional view of the roller, pintle and associated hinge structure taken substantially along the line 'l-T of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a substantially vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 7 taken in the vicinity of the area enclosed within the dot and dash circle B of Fig. 3 to more clearly illustrate the manner in which a removable pin is employed as a hinge element along the intermediate portions of the adjacent door rails.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be seen that one embodiment of the invention is disclosed in association with door structures made up of a plurality of door sections 22, 24, 26 and 28. Opposite ends of these door sections support guide rollers 30 which are adapted to shift within guideways or tracks 32. These guideways 32 have vertical and horizontal sections connected by curved sections so that the door may be shifted between the vertical door closing position (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) and an open overhead position.

The door sections are of sheet metal construction and for the purpose of detailed illustration and explanation, the door sections 24 and 26 have been shown in Figs. 3-6 inclusive. From these views it will be apparent that these door sections are formed from sheet metal stock. The elongated margins of this sheet metal stock are bent laterally and back to provide door rails. For purposes of identification with each section the uppermost rails are designated by the number corresponding with the door section coupled with the letter a. Thus the upper rail of the door section 22 is designated by the numeral 22a and the lower rail of the section 22 is designated by the numeral 22b. Similarly the other upper and lower rails are designated as 24a, 24b, et cetera.

In view of the general similarity of the rail structures and the hinge sections associated therewith, only the adjacent rails 24b and 26a of the door sections 24 and 26 respectively, have been illustrated in detail. The rail 24b is formed from the elongated sheet metal stock of the door section 24 by bending the margin laterally and back upon itself. Likewise, the rail 26a. is formed by bending the sheet metal stock of the door section 25 laterally and back upon itself. This results in the formation of a rail of box-like cross section, or in other words a polygonal cross section.

It will be apparent from the drawings that the adjacent elongated margins of the door sections are hingedly united to permit said sections to shift between the vertical and horizontal portions of the guide track. This hinge connection is provided by forming complementary hinge members or sections along the inner edges of the adjacent rails. As clearly shown in Figs. and 6, the upper inner corner of the rail 26a is bent into tubular form which is designated generally by the numeral 34. This tubular portion 34 is recessed at 36 (Fig. 5) to accommodate a hinge member 38 supported by the inner lower margin of the rail 2%. These recesses 36 are provided at each extremity of the tubular portion 34. Intermediate recesses 40 are provided to accommodate a complementary hinge member 42 carried by the adjacent door section. When the hinge member 38 and the hinge member 42 are disposed within their respective complementary recesses 36 and 40 respectively, said hinge members and tubular sections 34 are in co-axial alignment as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The aforesaid co-axial position of the hinge members 38 on one door section and the tubular hinge member 34 on the other section is maintained through the agency of a pintle sleeve 44 which is adapted to be inserted from the outer extremity of the aligned hinge members. The outer extremity of the pintle sleeve 44 is provided with a shoulder 46, and the presence of the hinge member 38 within the complementary recesses or opening 36 limits the extent to which the pintle sleeve 44 may be inserted. (See Fig. 7.) A suitable split bushing or bearing member 48 is insertable within the tubular hinge member 34 and provides a bearing support for the periphery of the sleeve 44. After the sleeve 44 has been inserted so as to occupy the position shown in Fig. 7, ears 50 are bent inwardly so as to overlap the outer extremity of the sleeve and thereby prevent outward displacement of the sleeve. The longitudinal aperture 52 within the sleeve 44 accommodates a guide roller pintle 54. The outer extremity of this pintle 55 carries the guide roller 30, and lugs 58 (Fig. '7) projecting outwardly from the pintle 54 limit the extent to which the pintle may be inserted within the sleeve 44. It will be apparent from the foregoing that a pintle and roller supported thereby are carried at each extremity of the adjacent door rails and that said rollers are adapted to move within the guide track structure 32.

In sheet metal door sections of the type just described, it is necessary to provide a further intermediate hinge connection. Thus when the hinge members 42. are co-axially disposed with respect to the tubular hinge member 34 Within their respective recesses so, a hinge pin 60 may be inserted as clearly illustrated in Fig. 8. In the disclosed embodiment, two hinge members 42 and complementary recesses 43 are employed, each of said hinge members having a complementary hinge pin 6%. To facilitate insertion and withdrawal of the hinge pins 60, the tubular hinge member 34 is recessed at '62. The dotted position of the hinge pin 60, in Fig. 8, illustrates the'manner in which said pin may be inserted after the hinge members 34 and 42 are positioned 4 in co-axial alignement. One end of the pin 60 is provided with a head which limits the extent to which the pin may be driven into the hinge members. An auxiliary sleeve or collar 64 is mounted within the hinge member 34 to provide the proper bearing surface for the hinge pin 60. It has been found in practice that non-metallic hinge pins operate verysatisfactorily. Pins of that type are suficiently strong and reduce operational noise to a minimum. This detachable hinge pin construction materially facilitates the .ease with which the door sections may be installed on the job.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention contemplates a hinge structure which is particularly adapted to be used with sheet metal door sections. Said hinge construction is extremely simple in form and capable of being produced by practising conventional shop methods. Furthermore, hinge structures constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention materially facilitate the ease with which sheet metal overhead door sections may be hingedly coupled at the place of installation. Also the aforementioned hinge construction requires a minimum number of constituent parts and hence the cost of maufacture is held to a minimum.

While for purposes of illustration certain structura1 embodiments have been illustrated in the drawings, it will be apparent that other modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each door section comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel, said panel including hinge members extending from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member adjacent each end of the rails, and a coaxial complementary hinge member on an adjacent panel associated with each of the first mentioned hinge members, each pair of coaxial complementary hinge members including a hinge pin extending longitudinally thereof and holding said members in cooperating hinged relationship.

2. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each door section comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel, said panel including hinge members extending from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member adjacent each end of the rails, and a coaxial complementary hinge member on an adjacent panel associated with each of the first mentioned hinge members, each pair of coaxial complementary hinge members including a hinge sleeve extending longitudinally thereof and holding said hinge members in cooperating hinged relationship, and a hinge pin in said sleeve and extending therefrom for accommodating a guide roller.

3. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each door section comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel, said panel including hinge members extendin from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member adjacent each end of the rails, a coaxial complementary hinge member on an adjacent panel associated with each of the first mentioned hinge members, another pair of complementary hinge members positioned intermediate the ends of said rails, each pair of coaxial complementary hinge members including a hinge pin extending longitudinally thereof and holding said hinge members in cooperating hinged relationship.

4. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each door section comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel, said panel including hinge members extending from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member adjacent each end of the rails, a coaxial complementary hinge member of an adjacent :panel associated with each of the first mentioned hinge members, each pair of coaxial complementary hinge members including a hinge pin extending longitudinally thereof and holding said hinge members in cooperating hinged relationship, said hinge pins being insertable longitudinally from each end of said rails, and means for securing said hinge members against outward axial dislodgement from their respective coaxial complementary hinge members.

5. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each door section comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel, said panel including hinge members extending from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member adjacent each end of the rails, and a coaxial complementary hinge member, of an adjacent panel associated with each of the first mentioned hinge members, each pair of coaxial complementary hinge members including a hinge pin extending longitudinally thereof and holding said hinge members in cooperating hinged relationship, at least one hinge member of each pair being formed integrally with its complementary sheet metal door rail.

6. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each doorsection comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel, said panel including hinge members extending from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member adjacent each end of the rails, and a coaxial complementary hinge member or an adjacent panel associated with each of the first mentioned hinge members, each pair of ooaxial complementary hinge members including a hinge pin extending longitudinally thereof and holding said hinge members in cooperating hinged relationship, at least one hinge member of each pair comprising a member formed independently of but secured as a unit to its complementary sheet metal door rail.

7. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each door section comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails Of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of said panel, said panel including hinge members extending from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member adjacent each end of the rails, a coaxial complementary hinge member of an adjacent panel associated with each of the first mentioned hinge members, a hinge pin extending longitudinally of each pair of complementary hinge members and holding said members in hinged relationship, another pair of complementary hinge members positioned intermediate the ends of said rails, and a longitudinally insertable pin for said intermediate hinge members holding said intermediate hinge members in cooperating hinged relationship.

8. A hinge construction for connecting sheet metal door sections adapted to be shifted between closed vertical and open horizontal overhead position, each door section comprising a sheet metal door panel and sheet metal rails of hollow construction along opposite longitudinal margins of 7 said panel, said panel including hinge members extending from adjoining hollow rails, one hinge member constituting an elongated tubular structure associated with and positioned inwardly from one of the door rails, said elongated tubular hinge member being recessed to coaxially accommodate complementary hinge members on the adjacent door rail, hinge members on said adjacent door rail in the vicinity of the opposite extremity thereof and adapted to be accommodated by the recesses in said elongated tubular hinge member, and a hinge pin extending longitudinally within complementary hinge members and holding-said hinge members in cooperating hinged relationship.

ALVIN V. ROWE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,083,567 Jones June 15, 1937 2,134,397 Clark Oct. 25, 1938 2,315,488 Aldeen Apr. 6, 1943 2,330,670 Black Sept. 28, 1943 2,332,259 Reuther Oct. 19, 1943 

